A population of meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Hartw.) was subiected to mass selection for early and late flowering time for two generations. Selected plant bulks were grown in C1 and C2 generations along with the original population (C0). The responses to selection were significant in both generations. Heritability estimates assuming random mating, ranged from 0.24 to 0.73. Flowering time involved phenotypic assortative mating, which was discussed for its effects on the herltability estimates and population structure of outbreeding species. Early flowering cultivars of meadowfoam would be desirable in a double‐cropping scheme
Nutritionally rich cucumber seeds remain in demand in the agricultural, health and cosmetic sectors as they are essential for a successful crop stand establishment and seed-based products. However, the production of cucumber seeds is impeded by source limitation and nutrient deficiency. The foliar application of micronutrients can supplement this deficiency and overcome the physiological setback. An experiment was undertaken to compare the impacts of the foliar application of Fe and Zn, as nanoparticles and fertilizers, on the yield and seed quality of cucumber under open and protected environments. A foliar spray of nano-ZnO (ZnNPs) and nano-Fe3O4 (FeNPs) at 100, 200 and 300 mg L−1, as well as ZnSO4 and FeSO4 as fertilizer (0.5%), was conducted at the vegetative stage and pre- and post-flowering stages. The NPs had a greater efficacy in an open field than in the protected (naturally ventilated poly house) environment. The application of both NPs increased seed yield (51.7–52.2%), total chlorophyll content (15.9–17.3%) and concentration of Zn and Fe in the fruit and the seed, by 2.0–58.5% and 5.0–30.5%, respectively. A significant increase in starch, soluble proteins, soluble sugars and oil content was observed in the seeds from the NP treated plants. NP treatment also enhanced the germination-related parameters, such as percent germination (16.8–17.0%), rate of germination (18.0–22.2%) and seedling vigor (59.8–72.6%). The biochemical characterization showed a significant improvement in the seed water uptake and the activity of hydrolytic enzymes (amylase and protease) in the germinating seed. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide) and antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Peroxidase) in the germination process was indicated by an increase in their activities in the seeds from NP treated plants. Hence, the study proposes the potential benefit of the foliar application of 300 mg L−1 ZnNPs and 200 mg L−1 FeNPs at crucial stages of plant growth to improve the yield and seed quality in cucumbers.
The pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis behaviours of cotton stalk (CS), torrefied cotton stalk (TCS) and mined coal, as single fuels, and their blends, have been examined through thermogravimetric analysis. Biomass has been torrefied at 250°C for 45 min to enhance physicochemical properties, and then mixed with mined coal for co-pyrolysis. Thermal degradation of CS and TCS is characterized by a reaction. However, this is not the case for mined coal, which shows a single-stage reaction. The thermal degradation of all blends was done in three stages: dehydration; biomass and small mined coal; and lignin or mined coal. A similar trend emerged for mass loss of individual fuels, which depended mainly on their ratios in the blend. The kinetics of pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of all fuels were calculated at 20°Cmin−1 heating rate using the Coats−Redfern model-fitting method.
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